System and method for platform activation

ABSTRACT

A platform discrimination indication register is stored in a wireless network card. This register holds a platform discrimination indication that indicates whether the wireless network card can be used to transfer data with notebook computers or whether the wireless network card is restricted to transferring data from a personal digital assistant or defined set of restricted devices. The platform discrimination indication can be upgraded using a key value obtained from at Internet site. This key value is limited to a specific wireless network card because of the use of a unique electronic I.D. An Internet site encrypts the electronic I.D. to produce the first key, such as a platform activation key (PAK). This first key is then decrypted at the personal data device in order to obtain a unique calculated I.D. value. If the calculated I.D. value matches the electronic I.D. value on the wireless network card, then the platform discrimination indication is altered (upgraded), allowing the operation of the wireless network card with notebook computers.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/017,212, entitled, “System And Method For Platform Activation”, filedDec. 13, 2001, by inventors Richard Wodzianek, Jody Pondick, IulianMocanu and Kirstin Gulbransen of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Data transfer over cellular networks is becoming more and more popular.Data from portable computing devices is transferred across cellularnetworks for E-mail and to enable Internet access.

Some portable computing devices produce much more cellular data trafficthan others. Typically, laptops allow for a far greater amount of datatraffic across cellular networks than personal digital assistants(PDAs). The transfer of images and audio files enabled by laptops tendto require a lot of traffic across the cellular network. Personaldigital assistants are often limited to E-mail data traffic, and evenwhen they have a World Wide Web connection, browsing tends to requiresignificantly fewer data packet transfers.

In order to enable carriers and service providers to charge PDA usersless than laptop users, special cellular wireless network card can bedesigned to work only with personal digital assistants. This would allowthe cellular network to know when a personal digital assistant, ratherthan a laptop, is connected to the cellular network. The personaldigital assistant user can then be billed less than a user who connectsusing a laptop. The additional production cost and inventory cost of awireless network card specifically designed for personal digitalassistants is prohibitive. It is desired to have a wireless network cardthat is able to self-determine whether the wireless network card isdesignated for use with personal digital assistants only.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a wireless network card that uses aplatform discrimination indicator. The platform discrimination indicatordetermines whether the wireless network card can be used with laptops inthe communications across the cellular network. Preferably, thisindicator is stored in non-volatile memory. The use of this indicator inthe wireless network card allows the upgrading of the wireless networkcard from a PDA only mode to a PDA and laptop mode. The upgradepreferably is activated using an electronic I.D. for the wirelessnetwork card. The electronic I.D. allows the upgrade to be unique foreach wireless network card.

One embodiment of the present invention is a method in which a portabledata device wireless network card is checked for a stored platformdiscrimination indicator. Depending upon the value of the platformdiscrimination indicator, data transfer is inhibited or allowed by thesoftware or drivers.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a method where theelectronic I.D. (EID) of a wireless network card is referenced to afirst key value. At a portable data device, not the first device, theEID is used to determine a calculated I.D. value, such as a platformactivation key (PAK). At a portable data device, comparing thecalculated I.D. value to the electronic I.D. of the wireless networkcard, so that if the calculated I.D. value matches the electronic I.D.of the wireless network card, data transmissions from the portable datadevice, through the wireless network card, are enabled. The enablingdescribed above is preferably done by modifying the platformdiscrimination indicator on the wireless network card. In the mannerdescribed above, the upgrade of the wireless network card is limited toa specific wireless network card, and a user could not update a largenumber of wireless network cards after paying a single upgrade fee.

Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a wireless networkcard for use with portable data devices. The wireless network cardincludes a stored platform discrimination indication. The value of thediscrimination indication determines whether the wireless network cardcan be used with a given type of portable data device. One value of theplatform discrimination indication allows the wireless network card tobe used with a restricted set of portable data devices. Another value ofthe platform discrimination indication allows the use of the wirelessnetwork card with an expanded set of portable data devices. The expandedset of portable data devices includes the restricted set of portabledata devices, as well as additional portable data devices not includedin the restricted set of portable data devices. In one example, therestricted set of portable data devices includes PDAs and the expandedset of portable data devices includes both PDAs and laptops.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a wireless network cardsoftware driver for a portable data device. The wireless network cardsoftware driver is adapted to check the wireless network card forplatform discrimination indicator, and use the platform discriminationindicator to determine whether to enable data transfer using thewireless network card. If the data transfer is not enabled, the user isprompted for a key value. The key value is used to determine acalculated I.D. value. The calculated I.D. value is compared with anI.D. value obtained from the wireless network card. If the calculatedI.D. value matches the I.D. value obtained from the wireless networkcard, the platform discrimination indication in the wireless networkcard is modified to enable data transfer using the wireless networkcard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a wireless network card, including theplatform discrimination indicator and an electronic I.D.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the interconnection of the devicesusing the wireless network card with the cellular network.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an interface produced by a laptopcomputer when the wireless network card does not have the platformdiscrimination indicator on the wireless network card does not allowoperation with a laptop.

FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate web pages which can be used for obtaining anupgrade code for a wireless network card.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating obtaining a code to upgrade thewireless network card.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the systems for use with the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating operation of a notebook computerinteracting with the wireless network card to determine whether to allowcellular transmissions across the cellular network.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate encryption operations used to obtain a codefor the wireless network cards.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates the wireless network card 20. The wireless networkcard 20 includes a platform discrimination register 22 which can be usedto store the platform discrimination indicator. The platformdiscrimination indicator in one embodiment is a single bit of a controlregister. The platform discrimination indicator indicates whether thewireless network card can be used to transfer data with a given type ofpersonal data device. In one embodiment, software and drivers on certainpersonal data devices, such as notebook computers require that theplatform discrimination indications be a certain value before allowingthe transfer of data with the wireless network card unit across thecellular network.

Also shown in the wireless network card 20 is an electronic I.D.location 24. This electronic I.D. is a unique I.D. for each wirelessnetwork card. One example of a possible electronic I.D. is a specifiedserial number for the wireless network card.

The wireless network card in this example is attached to a notebookcomputer 26. The notebook computer 26 includes a wireless network carddriver software 28. As described below, the wireless network card driversoftware checks the platform discrimination indicator to make sure thatit is of a certain value which allows the wireless network card totransfer data across the cellular network. If not, as described below,it will prompt the user to enter an upgrade code which the user canobtain to produce an upgrade for the wireless network card 20.

FIG. 2 illustrates wireless network cards 30, 32, 34 connecting to thecellular network 36. The wireless network cards can be connected tonotebook or laptop computers (which are capable of a relatively largewireless data transfers) as well as to personal digital assistants(which typically require smaller data transfers). The use of theplatform discrimination indicator allows for the same wireless networkcard design to be restricted to PDAs or unrestricted, for use on allplatforms, depending upon the value of the platform discriminationindicator.

FIG. 3 is an example of an interface display produced by the notebookcomputer when the notebook computer determines that the platformdiscrimination register will not allow data transfer through thewireless network card, due to the value of the platform discriminationindicator. This display requests the user to obtain a code to upgradethe wireless PC card operation. Also shown is the electronic I.D. codewhich the notebook computer obtains from the attached wireless networkcard.

FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate the connection to a web page to obtain thenotebook upgrade. In FIG. 4B, the user enters the electronic I.D. orserial number of the wireless network card, as well as indicating thewireless data source provider. In one example, it is requested that theuser obtain an upgrade pass code from the carrier. This, along with theelectronic I.D. code, allows the system to provide the upgrade codepermitting the notebook computer to allow cellular transmissions fromthe wireless network card with the source being the notebook computer.

FIG. 5 illustrates the operation of the upgrade system. In step 50, theuser desires an upgrade. In step 52, it is checked whether the cellservice provider offers more than one rate, and would charge more forthe upgrade. If not, in step 54, the user optionally pays the wirelessPC card company money for the upgrade and provides the electronic I.D.In step 56, the electronic I.D. is used to calculate the platformactivation key (PAK). In step 58, the PAK is provided to the user. Aswill be described below, the PAK can be used by the notebook computer todetermine whether to upgrade the status of the wireless network card bymodifying the platform discrimination indication.

If the cell service provider does charge more for an upgrade, in oneexample, in step 60, the user gets authorization from the cell serviceprovider for a specific PAK and this pass code is provided. In step 62,the electronic I.D. is used to calculate the platform activation key,and the platform activation key is provided to the user.

FIG. 6 illustrates a system in which the user computer 76 is connectedto the Internet 78 and to the wireless PC card company server 80. Thewireless PC card company server 80 uses the data base containing a listof the carriers and their restrictions, as well as an indication foreach wireless network card electronic I.D. of the data transfer status,whether the operation is limited to a PDA or can be used with a PDA anda notebook type computer. In one embodiment, once there is an upgradedone for a specific wireless network unit, the status is modified in thedatabase 82. Also associated with the wireless network card companyserver 80 is the number of upgrade software files 84, which allow thesoftware driver at the notebook computer to be upgraded.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of one embodiment ofthe present invention. In step 86, the wireless network card isconnected to, the notebook computer. In step 88, the wireless PC carddriver installed on the notebook computer checks the platformdiscrimination register in the wireless network card. In step 90, it ischecked whether notebook wireless PC card operation is allowed. If so,the wireless PC card operates in step 92. If not, the wireless PC carddriver requests the platform activation key in step 92. In step 94, theuser obtains authorization for an upgrade. The authorizing agent, suchas the service provider or wireless PC card company, uses the electronicI.D. of the wireless network card to calculate a platform activationkey. In step 96, the user provides a platform activation key. In step98, the wireless PC card driver uses a platform activation to calculatean electronic I.D. In step 100, it is checked whether the calculatedelectronic I.D. matches the wireless network card electronic I.D. Ifnot, in step 102, an error message is produced and the wireless networkunit will not function on that platform. If it does, in step 104, thewireless PC card driver upgrades the platform discrimination register inthe wireless network card, and cellular data transfer is allowedspecific to that wireless network card, regardless of the platform.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate the calculation of the platform activationkey and the use of the platform activation key to produce a decodedelectronic I.D. In a preferred embodiment, this is done by using anencryption algorithm. At the authorization agent, an electronic I.D. isused in an encryption algorithm to produce the platform activation key.At the device, in FIG. 8B, the platform activation key is decrypted toproduce a decoded electronic I.D. value. This decoded electronic I.D.value is compared to the wireless network card electronic I.D. in acompare operation. If they match, an upgrade of the wireless networkcard is allowed. In a preferred embodiment, the encryption algorithm iskept secret from the user to prevent the user from deriving a platformactivation key for a given wireless network card. It is important thatthe electronic encryption algorithm not be breakable or, otherwise, theduplication of the electronic encryption algorithm, distributed over theInternet, would allow the users to bypass the system of the presentinvention. It is also important that the decryption algorithm innotebook computers not be able to be analyzed to determine theencryption algorithm. A number of encryption/decryption algorithmscommercially available fit these requirements.

It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that theinvention can be implemented in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or character thereof. The presently disclosedembodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is illustrated by theappended claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changesthat come within the meaning and range of equivalents thereof areintended to be embraced herein.

1. A method comprising: in a portable data device, checking a wirelessnetwork card for a stored platform discrimination indication, theplatform discrimination indication dependent upon a wireless datatransfer capacity of the portable data device; and depending on a valueof the platform discrimination indication, inhibiting or allowing datatransfer, across a wireless network, using the wireless network card,one value of the platform discrimination indication allowing thewireless network card to be used with a restricted set of portable datadevice types, another value of the platform discrimination indicationallowing the use of the wireless network card with an expanded set ofportable data device types, the expanded set of portable data devicesincluding the restricted set of portable data devices as well asadditional portable data devices not included in the restricted set ofportable data devices wherein the restricted set of portable datadevices includes a personal digital assistant but does not includenotebook computers.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein if the datatransfer is inhibited, the portable data device requests an upgrade keyvalue.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein if an upgrade key value isprovided by a user, the portable data device calculates a uniquecalculated I.D. value.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the calculatedI.D. value is compared to a unique electronic I.D. value stored in thewireless network card.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein if thecalculated I.D. value matches the electronic I.D. value of the wirelessnetwork card, transmissions from the portable computer to the wirelessnetwork card are enabled.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the platformdiscrimination indication indicates the value in the wireless networkcard is modified when transmissions are enabled.
 7. The method of claim2 wherein the key value is obtained by providing the unique electronicI.D. value of the wireless network card to a program that calculates thekey value.
 8. A method comprising: at a first device, using an inputelectronic ID of a wireless network card to determine a first key value;at a portable data device not the first device, using the first keyvalue to calculate a calculated ID value; and at the portable datadevice, comparing the calculated ID value to the electronic ID of thewireless network card so that if the calculated ID value matches theelectronic ID of the wireless network card data transmissions from theportable data device through the wireless network card, across awireless network, are enabled by modifying a stored platformdiscrimination indication, the platform discrimination indicationdependent upon a wireless data transfer capacity of the portable datadevice, one value of the platform discrimination indication allowing thewireless network card to be used with a restricted set of portable datadevice types, another value of the platform discrimination indicationallowing the use of the wireless network card with an expanded set ofportable data device types, the expanded set of portable data devicesincluding the restricted set of portable data devices as well asadditional portable data devices not included in the restricted set ofportable data devices wherein the restricted set of portable datadevices includes a personal digital assistant but does not includenotebook computers.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the first key is aplatform activator key.
 10. The method of claim 8 wherein when thecalculated I.D. value matches the electronic I.D. value of the wirelessnetwork card, a platform discrimination indication on the wirelessnetwork card is modified.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein theplatform discrimination indication is checked before transmitting fromthe wireless network card using one type of portable data device. 12.The method of claim 11 wherein other types of portable data devices donot require a check of the platform discrimination indication beforeoperation.
 13. The method of claim 8 in which fees are charged when thefirst device provides the first key value.
 14. The method of claim 8wherein the production of the key value is done using an encryptionalgorithm.
 15. The method of claim 8 wherein the production of thecalculated I.D. value is done using an decryption algorithm.
 16. Themethod of claim 8 wherein the portable data device includes a devicedriver.
 17. The method of claim 8 in which a cell service provider isused to provide the first key value.
 18. The method of claim 8 whereinthe electronic I.D. value is stored on the wireless network card. 19.The method of claim 18 in which a personal computer obtains theelectronic I.D. from the wireless network card electronically.
 20. Awireless network card for use with portable data devices, the wirelessnetwork card including a stored platform discrimination indication, theplatform discrimination indication dependent upon a wireless datatransfer capacity of the portable data device; the value of the platformdiscrimination indication determining whether the wireless network cardcan be used with the type of portable data device to transfer dataacross a wireless network, one value of the platform discriminationindication allowing the wireless network card to be used with arestricted set of portable data device types, another value of theplatform discrimination indication allowing the use of the wirelessnetwork card with an expanded set of portable data device types, theexpanded set of portable data devices including the restricted set ofportable data devices as well as additional portable data devices notincluded in the restricted set of portable data devices wherein therestricted set of portable data devices includes a personal digitalassistant but does not include notebook computers.
 21. A wirelessnetwork card software driver for a portable data device, the wirelessnetwork card software driver adapted to implement the steps of: checkingthe wireless network card for a platform discrimination indication theplatform discrimination indication dependent upon a wireless datatransfer capacity of the portable data device; using the platformdiscrimination indication to determine whether to enable data transfer,across a wireless network, one value of the platform discriminationindication allowing the wireless network card to be used with arestricted set of portable data device types, another value of theplatform discrimination indication allowing the use of the wirelessnetwork card with an expanded set of portable data device types, theexpanded set of portable data devices including the restricted set ofportable data devices as well as additional portable data devices notincluded in the restricted set of portable data devices wherein therestricted set of portable data devices includes a personal digitalassistant but does not include notebook computers.
 22. A wirelessnetwork card for use with portable data devices, the wireless networkcard including a stored platform discrimination indication, the platformdiscrimination indication dependent upon a wireless data transfercapacity of the portable data device; the value of the platformdiscrimination indication determining whether the wireless network cardcan be used with the type of portable data device to transfer dataacross a wireless network, one value of the platform discriminationindication allowing the wireless network card to be used with arestricted set of portable data device types, another value of theplatform discrimination indication allowing the use of the wirelessnetwork card with an expanded set of portable data device types, theexpanded set of portable data devices including the restricted set ofportable data devices as well as additional portable data devices notincluded in the restricted set of portable data devices wherein theexpanded set of portable data devices includes notebook computers.
 23. Awireless network card for use with portable data devices, the wirelessnetwork card including a stored platform discrimination indication, theplatform discrimination indication dependent upon a wireless datatransfer capacity of the portable data device; the value of the platformdiscrimination indication determining whether the wireless network cardcan be used with the type of portable data device to transfer dataacross a wireless network, one value of the platform discriminationindication allowing the wireless network card to be used with arestricted set of portable data device types, another value of theplatform discrimination indication allowing the use of the wirelessnetwork card with an expanded set of portable data device types, theexpanded set of portable data devices including the restricted set ofportable data devices as well as additional portable data devices notincluded in the restricted set of portable data devices, the platformdiscrimination indication capable of being upgraded from the restrictedset of portable data devices to the expanded set through a processwherein a user takes an electronic I.D. of the wireless network card,uses the electronic I.D. of the wireless network card to produce a firstkey value, this first key value is then used by the personal portabledata device to calculate a calculated I.D., if the calculated I.D.matches the electronic I.D. of the wireless network card, the platformdiscrimination indication is modified to allow the wireless network cardto operate with the expanded set of portable data devices.